Bar bending machine



y 1, 1934- c. KIRCHNER 7 1,957,395

BAR BENDING MACHINE Filed May 15, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jfo A TTORNEY.

y 1, 1934- c. KIRCHNER 1,957,395

BAR BENDING MACHINE Filed May 15, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 33 $5 Z A3 Af 4W 7 I 11v VENTOR B Y WW 9 1 11 54 A TTORNEY May 1, 1934.

c. KIRCHNER 1,957,395

BAR BENDING MACHINE Filed May 15, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 17% A TTORNEV y1, 1934- c. KIRCHNER 1,957,395

BAR BENDING' MACHINE Filed May 15, 1832 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR BY WWW MM Jfi'd A TTORNE y Patented May 1, 1934 name 1,957,355 are BENEI'NGMACHINE Carl Kirchnen'Carthage, Mo, assignor to Ileggett and FlattSpring Bed and Manufacturing-Corn parry, Carthage, Mo.,' a. corporationof Missouri epiicatiofiiviay rs, 1932", serial No. 611,128 18' Claims.(o1. ire-4e) My invention relates to iinprovenients in' bar bendingmachines. It is particularly well adapted for bending angle bars. I

one of the objects of niy invented are provide a bar bending machinewith novel means for engaging the' bar to hold its from buckling orother distortion di1ring'bendingoperation, when the flange is disposedat either the inner or outer side of the bar. I

My invention provides further novel means for holding the bar fromlongitudinal'rnovernent during the bending operation. w H

My invention provides still further a novel I bending member adapted toengage'thebar to be bent for a substantial distance lengthwise of theweb and for imparting to thebar bending member a noveloscillatory'riioveinent about a form around which it bendsth'ebar. I

My invention provides novel means for int- 20 parting oscillation aroundthe farm to the bar bending member. H A further object of my inventionis to provide a novel bar bending machine, which isjsiinple, strong,durable, not likely to get out of order, which is quick in itsoperation. and'whichpe'r} suits of the insertion of the bar tobebentandits removal without having to demo-am any of the parts of themachine. The novel features of my int/an mate hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed. a In the accompanying drawings illustrative of myimproved machine, I i

Fig. 1 is a reduced plan view partlybrolgen away, of the machine, andits driving mechanism. Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation" of the motordriven pulley and parts connected therewith.

Fi 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. i is an enlarged plan View, partly broken away, of the bendingmachine. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 4, showing a bar tobe bent with its flange at its outer side mounted in operative positionon the machine. I

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5, showing the bar to be bent with itsflange a't 'its inner side.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line '7--7 of Fig; 41' Fig. 8 is a plan viewof the cam actuated sliding plate shown in Fig. 7. g I

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of theT' shaped clamping member, enlarged,which clamps'and holds the inwardly extending fiangejo'fthe' bar to bebent and holds timber from longitudinal movement during the bendingoperation. I

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a portion'of the is an enlarged sectionon the line 33 supporting table, enlarged, and parts Carried thereon.Fig. 11 is: a plan view, enlarg'ed of the table, parts carried thereby,and parts bi'okeri'awayj, showing an angle bar bent around the forthwith 69 the'jfiange of the bar at the inner sidethereof;

. Fig. 12 is a section taken on the pla'ne oi the line l5 looklrigifi aidirectlon'. the reve e of that indicated by the arrow iriIFig', 4,I shomg an angle bar held clarnped'with its flange at the outer side thereof.

Fig. 13 is a section on the line 13 13.or Fi Fig. 14 is a' diagrammaticview of the flange clamping mechanism. a V Fig. 15 is an enlargedsectiontakenon the plane Of the line 15- 15 looking in the diiec'tioniridicated bythe arrow in Fig. 4. J Fig. 161s an'enlargedsectionontheline 16 '16. of Fig. 11, the parts being shown in the claiiipiiigposition. I

Fig. 17 is a sectionoh the me v-iiorai 16,. Fig. 18 aka SGftiOn on theline Iii-+18 Of. Fig. 16., Fig. 19 is view, partly in .vei'ticalsctiohla iid partly in elevation'of the clamping bar and theform, the clamping lea-rand the movable clain'pmg ring on the form;shown'in'the release p'osi 5: U 1g. 201$ a'view similar to Fig. 19, theami barand'the clamping ring being shown in the clamping positions. 35

Fig. 21 is apersp'ective view of thebendingbar and itsop'era'tingroller, the barbeing shown'eneI g'aged with'an angle bar the flange ofwhich is outwardly turned.

Fig". 22 is a view similar to Fig. 21, with; the at" angle bar disposedwith its flange extending" in Fig. 23 is a'perspective view of a portionof an angle. bar which has been bent around the form andhas its flangeatitsouter side. I v

Fig. 24 is a perspective viewo'f an anglebar' which has been bent:around the form with its flange extending inwardly. v

Fig. 25 is a perspectiveview of an angle bar which has been bent withoutits inwardly ektendmg flange having been held frombuckli'ngdu'rin'g thebending operation. v

Similarref'erence' characters designate siinil'ar parts in thedifferentviews. v I

My improved bending machine isprovided with ajsiipplort for'some of the:parts comprising a jsiib st'antial rectangular table top 1 supportedbyjleg'fs' 2; and'su'pporting a circular form 3' against me periphery ofwhich is adapted to bear theweb 4" of'an angle bar having a fiange'5.

For bending the angle bar around the form 3, with the flan e eitherinwardly or outwardly extending, there is provided a bar bending member6 comprising a bar rectangular in cross section and slidably mounted onthe support, the table top 1, and adapted for oscillatory movementthereon circumferentially around the form 3.

The side of the bar 6 next to the form 3 is spaced therefrom so as toadmit between them the web 4 of an angle bar. Said side of the bar 6 isof substantial length and has a bearing surface extending longitudinallyand adapted for bearing at one time for a substantial distancelengthwise of and against the side of the web 4 which is distant fromthe form 3.

The under side of the bending bar 6, as shown in Figs. 5 and 21, isprovided with a longitudinal groove 7 which with the table top 1 forms achannel into which the flange 5 of the angle bar to be bent is adaptedto be fitted, when the angle bar is to be bent with the flange 5 at itsouter side, Figs. 4, 5, 21 and 23.

To the upper side of the bending bar 6 is rigidly fastened a rack 8, theteeth of which overlie the bar 6, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 11, andare in mesh with the teeth of a spur gear wheel 9 which is rigidlysecured to the upper horizontal side of the form 3, Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6.The rack 8 and gear wheel 9 hold the bending bar in traveling engagementwith the form 3, without permitting the bending bar to move endwise withrespect to the angle bar with which it may be engaged.

For fastening the form 3 to the table top 1, there is extended centrallyvertically through the form 3 and the gear wheel 9 a vertical tube 10the lower end of which bears on the table top 1, and upon the upperprojecting end of which is mounted a washer 11, Fig. 5, which is mountedon a vertical rod 12 having threaded upper and lower ends, and whichextends through the tube 10 and the table top 1, and has threadedengagement at its lower end with a cylinder 13 provided at its lower endwith annular flange 14, and the upper end of which bears against theunder side of the table top 1. On the threaded upper end of the rod 12is mounted a nut 15 which bears against the upper side of the washer 11.

For imparting an oscillatory movement to the bending bar 6 around theform 3, there is provided a horizontal lever comprising a relativelylong tube 16 having fastened to it two members 17 and 1S to which arerespectively secured the ends of a horizontal plate 19 which ispivotally mounted on the tube 10 between the gear wheel 9 and the washer11. A brace rod 20 has one end fastened to the member 17, its outer endbeing fastened to the tube 16.

Extending through and fastened to the plate 19 is a vertical pin 21,which below the plate has revolubly mounted on it a roller 22 which isadapted for rolling engagement with the side of the bar 6 distant fromthe form 3.

In the initial position, the parts are disposed as shown in solid linesin Figs. 1 and 4, in which position the angle bar to be bent can beinserted endwise between the bar 6 and the form 3 to the position of theangle bar at which it is desired to make a bend therein. After the anglebar has been clamped, as will be later explained, to hold it fromlongitudinal movement in the bending. op-

' eration, the lever tube 16 is swung from the initial position shown insolid lines in Figs. 1 and 4, to the position shown in dotted lines insaid figures.

As the lever tube 16 is so swung, the roller 22,

carried by the plate 19 attached to the lever tube, has travelingengagement with the outer side of the bending bar 6 and imparts to thelatter a traveling movement circumferentially around the form 3, thetoothed engagement of the rack 8, attached to the bar 6, with the gearWheel 9, prevents the bending bar 6 from longitudinal movementrelatively to the web 4 of the angle bar which it is bending around theform 3. As the angle bar has some resiliency the lever tube 16 and thebending member 6 are swung sufliciently more than 90 degrees from theinitial position, shown in solid lines in Figs. 1 and 4, to compensatefor the resiliency of the angle bar, so that, when the bending operationceases, and the lever tube 16 and bending bar 6 are retracted from thedotted position, shown in Figs. 1 and 4, to the initial position, theangle bar will spring back to the right angled position, when a bend tosuch an angle is to be made.

By having the bending bar 6 engage with the outer side of the web 4 ofthe angle bar for a substantial distance lengthwise of said web, at onetime, and by engaging opposite sides of the flange 5 of the angle bar,as will be described, the angle bar will be bent, with its flange at itsinner or outer sides, without buckling, crimping or other distortionthereto. By having the longitudinal bearing surface of the bending bar 6of substantial length and bearing for a substantial distance against theweb of the angle bar and intersected at right angles by the radius whichintersects at right angles that portion of the web which at the time isbeing bent against the form 3, and by having that portion of the bar 6which is nearest at that time to the form spaced therefrom substantiallyonly the thickness of the web, liability of crimping the flange will beeliminated and the springing back of the bent bar will be of a minimumamount.

To hold the angle bar from longitudinal movement during the bendingoperation, with the flange 5 thereof at its outer side, as shown inFigs. 4 and 5, there is provided above the table top 1 to the left ofthe form 3, as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 11, a clamping bar 23, which ispivoted near one end on a vertical pin 24, the lower end of which isfastened to the table top 1, Figs. 4, 7, 11 and 16. The bar 23 isvertically slidable a short distance on the pin 24 to enable the flange5 to slip under the bar 23, the latter having a longitudinal groove 25in its bottom to receive the flange, Figs. 4, 7, 12 and 15.

As shown in Fig. 16, the bar 23 is normally forced to its upper positionby two coil springs 26 encircling respectively two vertical pins 2'? thelower ends of which are slidable on the table top 1, the springs andpins being located in recesses 28 provided therefor in the under side ofthe bar 23. Two collars 29 rigidly fastened to the upper ends of thepins 27 limit the upward movement of the bar 23 to the raised positionshown in Figs. 15 and 19.

For pulling the bar 23 to the left, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 4, it hasattached to its left side, I

as viewed in said figures, one end of a horizontal coil spring 30, theother end or" which is fastened to a horizontal plate 31 which issupported by the table top 1, Figs. 1, 4, l0 and 11.

To force the bar 23 downwardly and inwardly to clamp the flange 5 of theangle bar to the table top, to hold the bar from longitudinal movementduring the bending operation, and to move the bar 23 to the right, asviewed in Figs. 1 and 4, to hold the web 4 of the angle bar against ablock 32 fastened to the table top, so that the angle bar can not springaway from the form 3 while being bent, there is provided a vertical bar33 which is vertically slidable in a hole 34 in the bar 23, and in ahole provided through the tabletop 1, Figs. 4, ll, 12, 15 and 16.

The bar 33 is substantially rectangular incross section as are the hole34'and. the hole through the table top, the barbeing fitted: in said:holes: so. as not to turn axially, the hole 34 in: the bar 23, however,having a width sufiicient to. permit the bar 23 having its lateralmovement. The

upper end of the vertically slidable bar 33. has a head provided on itsunder side with an oblique surface. 35, Figs. 12, 15 and 16, adapted-toengage the upper side of the bar 23 and pull the latter downwardly tothe-clamping position, when the bar 33: is drawn downwardly, Fig. 12.

The lower end of the-bar 33 is threaded. and is encircles the bar 33 andhas its lower endbearing on the bracke 36 and its. upper end. bearingagainst the under side of a nut 33on the threaded part of the bar 33,Figs. 10, 12 and15.

To draw the bar 33downwardly so-as to move the clamping. bar23.downwardly to the clamping positiononthe flange 5 and inwardlyagainst. the web 5 of the angle bar, there is mountedon the bar. 33, andheld from turning thereon, andirestingonthe nut 33, a cam plate 39, theupper'sideof which operatively engagesthe under side of acam'plateos'cillative onthe bar 33and adapted for oseillation by a horizontallever 41, Figs. 1, 4, 1G, 11, and14to 17', said lever being oscillativemanualiy from the nonclamping. position, shown in solidlines in Fig. 1and Fig. 14 to the clamping position shown inFig. 4' and'in dotted.

lines in Fig. l.

When-a bar isto be bent with its flange 5 at the outside, the lever 41is disposed inthe nonclarnp ing position shown in Figs. 141and.15, inwhich. position the bar 33 will be raised, thus releasing; thebar 23which will be drawn by the spring? 30 tothe nonclamping position,- Fig.15. Thelever tubelfiWillat this time be disposediin the position, shownin solid lines in Figs. 1 and 4, as will bethe bending bar 6 withitsrack 8. The angle bar to-bebent is then insertedwithitsflange 5 distantfrom the form 3, and under the bars v6 and 23; as shown in solid linesin-Figs. 4, 5, 10, l2'and f 15.

The lever 41 is then swung to the position shown.

in Figs. 4, 10, 11 andlfi; and-asshown in dotted lines in Fig. l. toforce downwardly the cam-plate 39', thus forcing downwardly the bar 33'which by its oblique 12 and 2c. The angle bar will thus beheld fromlongitudinal movement andfrom lateral bending away from the form 3.

The-lever tube 16 then swung from theinitiali position to the positionshown in ,dottedlines in" Fig. 1; and'in moving to such position it:will cause the roller 22'to move the bendingbanfi with its rack 8 tothe position shown in dotted linesin Figs.- 1 and-=-4,therebycausing-thebar 6 to bend the angle-ban'as'shown in dotted linesin Fig; 4;

This will cause the cam plate'4i) The lever tube 16 is then retracted tothe initial position, and: the lever 41 is swung to the non"- clam-pingposition, shown in'Fig. 14 and in solid lines. in. Fig. l. The angle barcan then be slid from between the formv 3, bar 6, bar 23 and block or itcan be advanced tov a position at whichit may be desired: to makeanother similar bend.

Whenit is desired. to. bend an angle: bar witlr its flange 5. extendinginwardly, thev lever tube 16v and: lever 41 are set in the initial;positions, shown in solid linesin Fig. 1, and the angle bar isinsertedbetween the bar 6 and form 3 and betweenthe bar 23 and block 32with the flange 5 extend.- ing away from the bending. bar 6. and. thebar 23'. The flange 5 is then clamped to hold the angle bar. fromlongitudinal movement by the following described. mechanism.

The. block. 32 is provided with a horizontal flange 42 against the underside of' which the upper side of the inwardly turned flange 5v isadapted to be clampedby a T shaped member 43, Figs. '7, 8, 9 and 11, thestem of which- T shaped member 43 extends through and is slidable in ahole provided throughv the tabletop The lower end of the stem of themember. 43

rests on ahorizontal. plate 44 having its ends vertically slidably enaging the armsof a U shaped:

bracket 45, said arms being iastenedto the under side of the table top1, Fig. 7.

To the under side of the plate 44 is fastened a cam member 46 theunderside of which. is operatively engaged with the upper sideof a cam:

ber. 47 which is pivoted in the transverse portion of: the Uvshapedbracket. 45, the washer 48 resting on said transverse portion. 1

The cam. member 47 isprovided with a horizontal lever 50 pivotallyconnected to a link 51 whichis pivotally connectedwith an arm 52 withwhichthe lever. 41 is provided.

When the lever 41 is swung from they initial nonclamping position, Fig..14 and in solid lines in Fig. 1, itwillthrough the link 51 swing thelever 53 to the cl inping position,.shown in Figs. 4 and 11 and indotted lines in Fig. 1. ber 47 will thus be swung so as to. lift the cammember 46,.which in turn will lift theiT shaped.

member 43 so as to clamp the flange'5 of theangle bar against the flange42 of the block 32, therebyv holding. the angle-bar from longitudinal.movement.

The lever tube 16 is then swung from the initial position, solid linesinFigl to the dotted position in said figure, thus-causing thelever'tubeilfi' through the roller 22 and thebending bar 6 to Referringto Figs. 6'and 11, it will be noted that the form 3 is provided with anannular groove in. which are located one above the other and encirclingthe form 3 two rings 53 and 54, the uppe1':ring53'being'fastened totheunder side of the. gear wheel 9, the lower ring 54 being verticallyslidable. from the lower "nonclampingposition, shown in Fig. 19 to theupper: position, shown in Figs. 6 and 20,. in which it is spaced fromthe ring53 a distance just sufhcient to admit between the rings theflange 5 of the. angle bar: Forso lifting the ring -54, as shown inFigs: 5 and 6,-a=p1a-te-55 is vertically-slidable. on the cyl-;

vertically The cam them-- inder 13 and supports the lower ends ofvertical pins 56 which extend through and are vertically slidable inholes provided through the table top 1. The upper ends of the pins 56support and lift the lower ring 54, when the plate 55 is lifted, as inFig. 6. The plate 55 is held from rotating on the cylinder 13 byvertical pins 5'7 fastened to the under side of thetable top 1 andextending into holes 58 provided in the plate 55, Fig. 5.

Supporting and fastened to the under side of the plate 55 is a cammember 59 which in turn is supported and lifted by a lower cam member 60revoluble on the cylinder 13 and resting on a washer 61 mounted on theflange 14 of the cylinder 13.

The cam member 60 is provided with a lever 62 pivotally connected to alink 63 which is pivotally connected to the lever 41, Figs. 1, 4 and 14.

When the bending member 6 engages the web 4 of the angle bar the flange5 of which is at the inner side, Fig. 6, the bar 6 is disposed acrossthe plane of the flange 5, so that it will hold the flange from beingforced away from the form 3, thus preventing distortion to the anglebar, and the flange 5 will enter between the rings 53 and 54 and willthus be held thereby from buckling, the flange at the bend being smooth,as shown in Fig. 24.

After the bending operation, the lever tube 16 is retracted to theinitial position, as is the lever 41, thus swinging the lever 62 so asto turn the cam member 60 to permit the latter and the ring 54 to lower.

When the flange 5 of the angle bar is at the outer side while beingbent, the levers 50 and 62 will be swung when the lever 41 is swung tocause the bar 23 to clamp the flange, but the T shaped member 43 and thering 54, though lifted, will be inactive insofar as to clamping theflange. When the flange 5 of the angle bar is at the inner side, the bar23 will be inactive insofar as clamping the flange 5 is concerned, butit will hold the web 4 against the block 32 so as to prevent the webfrom being sprung away from the form 3.

The lever tube 16 may be oscillated by hand, or as shown in Fig. 1 itmay be oscillated by power. For effecting this there is shown attachedto the outer end of the lever tube 16 a block 64, Figs. 1 and 3, towhich are connected one set of ends of two bars 65, the other ends ofwhich are connected to a block 66 to the upper and lowe1 sidesrespectively of which are pivoted two links 6'7, the other ends of whichare pivoted to a vertical pin 68 carried by an endless chain belt 69.

The chain belt is mounted and adapted for travel on two sprocket wheels'70 and '71, the latter being mounted on a vertical shaft '72 rotatablein a frame '73.

Sprocket wheels '74 are located intermediate of the sprocket wheels '70and '71 in two concentric arcuate rows, the center of which is the axisof the lever tube 16, that is, the rod 12.

A pulley wheel '75 is fastened on and revoluble on the shaft '72 towhich it is adapted to be connected so as to revolve therewith by aclutch mechanism '76 of any suitable type, said clutch being operativelyactuated by a rod '77 which extends to near the lever 41, whereby theoperator of the lever 41 can also operate the rod 7'7 to actuate theclutch to operatively connect the pulley wheel '75 with the shaft '72.

A-belt '78 connects the pulley wheel '75 with a pulley wheel '79 mountedon and rotatable with an armature shaft of an electric motor 80.

When the rod '77 is operated to connect the pulley wheel '75 with theshaft 72, the motor 80 through the belt '78 and pulley wheels and '79rotates the shaft '72 and drives the chain belt 69. The pin 68 on thechain belt, through the links 6'7, block 66, bars 65, and block 64swings the lever tube 16 from the initial position, shown in solid linesin Fig. 1, to the position shown in dotted lines, and then retracts thelever tube 16 to the initial position during each revolution of thechain belt 69. The operator stops the motor when the pin 68 is at thestarting and stopping position shown in Fig. 1.

Any suitable support may be provided for the sprocket wheels. '70 and'74, as vertical pins 81 mounted on a platform 82, Fig. 1.

In the operation of the machine, when operated by the power mechanismdescribed and shown in Figs. 1 to 3, and when operated by manual poweralone, the parts are disposed as shown in solid lines in Fig. 1, withthe bending bar 6 and the rack thereon alined with the clamping bar 23,the latter being shown in the raised released position shown in Fig. 15.At this time the clamping T shaped member 43 is in the lowered position,as is the lower clamping ring 54 onthe form 3.

The angle bar to be bent is then sli ped with its web 4 between the, bar23 and block 32 and between the form 3 and the bending bar 6. If a bendis to be made with the flange at the outside, the flange 5 is disposedon the table top 1 in the groove 25 of the bar 23 and in the groove '7at the under side of the bending bar 6.

The lever 41 is then swung from the position shown in solid lines inFig. 1 and in Fig. 14 to the position shown in Fig. 4 and in dottedlines in Fig. 1, thereby through the cams 40 and 39 forcing the bar 33downwardly, so that its inclined surface 35 engages the top of the bar23 and forces the latter downwardly so that it clamps the flange 5 ofthe angle bar to the table top 1, and clamps the web 4 against the block32.

The operator will then move the rod '77 longitudinally so as to causethe clutch '76 to engage the pulley wheel '75 with the shaft '72. Therunning motor 80 will then, through the belt '78, pulleys '75 and '79,shaft 72 and sprocket wheel '71 drive the chain belt 69. The pin 68 intraveling with the chain belt 69 will, through the bars 67 and 65 andblocks 64 and 66, swing the lever tube 16 from the position shown insolid lines in Figs. 1 and 4, to the position shown in dotted lines insaid figures, and will then return the lever tube 16 to its initialposition, at which time, the operator will, through the rod '77, operatethe clutch '76 to release the shaft '72 from the pulley '75.

As has been described, the lever tube 16 in being swung from and to itsinitial position, will cause the roller 22 to engage the bending member6 so as to oscillate the latter around the form 3 and bend the angle bararound the form, the member 6 holding the flange 5 of the angle baragainst the table top 1 so as to prevent'the flange from beingdistorted.

When the angle bar is to be bent with the flange 5 thereof at the innerside, the angle bar is disposed with its flange 5 under the flange 42 ofthe block 32 and above the T shaped clamping member 43 and between theclamping rings 53 and 54, the ring 54 and the member 43 being in theirlowered positions when the angle bar is inserted, the latter having itsweb 4 resting on the table top 1.

The lever 41 is then swung from its initial position, shown in Fig. 14and in solid lines in Fig. 1,

to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and in solid lines inFigs. 4 and 11.

The lever 41, so swung, will, through the cams 40 and 39, actuate thebar 33 to force the bar 23 to 5 the clamping position Fig. 7, in whichthe web 4 0f the angle bar will be held against the block 32. The lever41 will through the link 51 and lever 50 actuate the cam 47 to lift thecam 46, plate 44 and T shaped clamping bar 43, thereby causing thelatter to clamp the flange 5 against the flange 42 of the block 32, soas to hold the angle bar from longitudinal movement.

The lever 41 through the link 63, lever 62 cam 60 will lift the cam 59and plate 55, pins 56 and clamping ring 54 so as to cause the latter tohold the flange 5 against the under side of the ring53 on the form3.

The operator will then operate the rod 77 to cause the clutch '76 toengage the pulley 75 with the shaft '72, thus, as has been described,driving the chain 69 so as to effect the swinging of the lever tube 16from the initial position, shown in solid lines in Fig. 1 to the dottedposition in said figure, and to then return the lever tube 16 to theinitial position.

The lever tube 16, in swinging to the dotted position, Fig. 1, willcause the bending bar 6 to engage and bend the web 4 of the angle bararound the form 3, thereby forcing the flange 5 of the angle bar betweenthe rings 53 and 54, as the flange is bent with the web, the bar 6, bybacking up the web 4 at the horizontal plane of the flange 5, and therings 53 and 54 will prevent the flange fr in becoming distorted andfrom buckling. The angle bar, being bent to the dotted position in Figs.4 and 11, or to a predetermined position, determined by the resiliencyof the angle bar, will, upon the retraction of the lever tube 16 andbending bar 6 to the initial positions, retract to the right angled, orother selected angular form.

The operator, after the retraction of the lever tube 16 and bending bar.6, will swing the lever 41 to its initial position, shown in Fig. 14and in solid lines in Fig. 1, thereby releasing the angle bar from theclamping efiect of the bar 6, form 3, rings 53 and 54,' bar 23, block 32and T shaped member 43. The angle bar may then be advanced to anotherposition at which a bend is to be made, if such is desired, or'removedfrom the machine.

By providing the rack bar 8 on the bending bar 6 and engaged with thegear wheel 9, the bending bar is retained at all times in operativerelationship to the gear wheel 9 and to the form Band operating roller22. By having the teeth of the gear 'wheel 9 engaging thetop of thebending bar '6, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the bar 6 is held against thetable top 1, thus preventing distortion of the flange 5, when the latteris at the outer side.

I do not limit my invention to the structure shown and described, asmany modifications, within the scope of the appended claims, may be madewithout departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a bar bending machine, aform having an arcuate surface againstwhich the web of an angle bar is adapted to be bent, and having'anarcuate row of teeth concentric with said surface, a bending memberadapted for circumferential movement around said form and having astraight 'row of teeth engaged with the teeth of said form and having alongitudinal bearing surface of substantial length spaced from saidarcuate surface and adapted for bearing at one time for asubstantial-distance lengthwise of said bar against the side thereofdistant from said arcuate surface, and means for imparting to saidmember said circumferential movement, said member having means forreceiving and engaging the flange of said bar for holding said flangefrom buckling when the bar is bent with the flange at the outer sidethereof.

2. In a bar bending machine, a form having an arcuate surface againstwhich the web of an angle bar is adapted to bent, and having an arcuaterow of teeth concentric with said surface, a bending memb r having alongitudinal bearing surface of substantial length spaced from saidarcuate surface and adapted for bearing at one time for a substantialdistance lengthwise of said bar against the side thereof distant fromsaid arcuate surface, said member being adapted for circumferentialmovement around said form and having a straight row of teeth engagedwith said teeth of said form, and a lever pivoted concentrically withsaid arcuate surface and having means for engaging and imparting saidcircumferential movement to said member, said member having means forreceiving and engaging the flange of said bar for holding said flangefrom buckling when the bar is bent with the flange at the outer sidethereof.

3. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent, a bending member'adapted for circumferentialmovement around said form and having a longitudinal bearing surface ofsubstantial length spacedfrom said form and adapted for bearing at onetime for a substantial distance lengthwise of said bar against the sidethereof distant from said form, said member having toothed engagementwith said form, the latter being stationary,

means for imparting circumferential movement tial length spaced fromsaid form and adapted for bearing at one time for a substantial distancelengthwise of and against the side of said web distant from said form,and having means for engaging the flange of said bar to hold the flangefrom buckling when the bar is bent with the flange at the outer sidethereof, and means adapted to releasably engage and hold said flange,when it is so disposed, for holding the bar from longitudinal movementduring the bending operation.

5. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to bear and be bent, and a bar bending member-adapted forcircumferential movement around said form and having a longitudinalbearing surface of substantial length spaced from said form and adaptedfor hearing at one time for a substantial distance lengthwise of andagainst the side of said web distant from said form, and having meansadapted to releasably engage the flange of said bar at one side and oneedge to hold the flange from buckling when the bar is bent with theflange at the outer side thereof, said member, where it is nearest itssaid form, being spaced therefrom substantially only the thickness ofsaid Web.

6. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent, a support for the flange of said bar, and

a bar bending member adapted for circumferential movement around saidform and having a longitudinal bearing surface of substantial lengthspaced from said form and adapted for bearing at one time for asubstantial distance lengthwise of and against the side of said webdistant from said form, and having means on the side next to saidsupport for engaging the outer edge and the side of said flange oppositeto the side resting on said support to hold said flange from bucklingwhen the bar is bent around said form with the flange of the bar at theouter side thereof, said member, where it is nearest said form, beingspaced therefrom substantially only the thickness of said web.

7. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent, a support for the flange of said bar, and abar bending member adapted for circumferential movement on said supportaround said form and having a longitudinal groove in the side next tosaid support adapted to receive said flange, said groove forming withsaid support a channel into which said flange is adapted to be fitted soas to be held from buckling when the bar is bent around said form withthe flange of the bar at the outer side of the bar, said bar having alongitudinal bearing surface of substantial length spaced from said formand adapted for bearing at one time for a substantial distancelengthwise of and against the side of said web distant from said form.

8. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent, means for engaging the sides of the flange ofsaid bar to hold said flange from buckling when the bar is bent aroundsaid form with the flange at the inner side of the bar, and a barbending member having means engaging said form which holds said memberfrom longitudinal movement said member being adapted for circumferentialmovement around said form and having a bearing surface of substantiallength spaced from said form and adapted for bearing at one time for asubstantial distance lengthwise of and against the side of said webdistant from said form, said member, where it is nearest said form,being spaced therefrom substantially only the thickness of said web.

9. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent, means for engaging the side of the flange ofsaid bar to hold the flange from buckling when the bar is bent aroundsaid form with the flange at the inner side of the bar, and a barbending member having means engaging said form which holds said memberfrom longitudinal movement said member being adapted for circumferentialmovement around said form and having a bear ing surface of substantiallength spaced from said form and adapted for bearing at one time for asubstantial distance lengthwise of and against the side of said webdistant from said form, said bearing surface extending in width acrosssaid flange holding means a distance suflicient to enable it to holdsaid flange from outward movement during the bending operation.

10. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent, means for engaging the side of the flang ofsaid bar to hold said flange from buckling when the bar is bent aroundsaid form with the flange at the inner side of the bar, and a barbending member having means engaging said form which holds said memberfrom longitudinal movement said member being adapted for circumferentialmovement around said form and having a bearing surface of substantiallength spaced from said form and adapted for hearing at one time for asubstantial distance lengthwise of and against the side of the webdistant from said form, said member having means for engaging saidflange and holding it from buckling when the bar is bent around saidform with its flange at the outer side of said bar.

11. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent with the flange of the bar at its inner orouter side, means for engaging said flange to hold it from buckling whenthe flange is at either the inner or outer side of the bar, means forholding the bar from longitudinal movement during the bending operation,and a bar bending member adapted for circumferential movement aroundsaid form and having a bearing surface adapted for bearing engagementwith said web at the side distant from said form.

12. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent with the flange of the bar at the inner orouter side thereof, means for holding the flange from buckling when theflange is at the inner side of the bar, means for holding the bar fromlongitudinal movement during the bending operation with the flange atthe inner or the outer side of the bar, means for simultaneouslyoperating the bar holding means and the flange holding means, and meansfor engaging the outer side of said web and bending the bar around saidform with the flange at the inner or the outer side of said bar andhaving means for engaging the bar in the plane of the flange when theflange is at the inner side to hold the flange from movement outwardlyfrom said form and provided with means for engaging and holding theflange from buckling when the flange is at the outer side of the bar.

13. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent, with the flange of the bar at the inner orouter side thereof, means for engaging the flange of the bar, when theflange is at the inner side, for holding the flange from buckling, meansfor engaging the flange when at the inner side to hold the bar fromlongitudinal movement, means for engaging the flange when at the outerside for holding the bar from longitudinal movement, means forsimultaneously actuating said three flange holding means, and means forengaging the outer side of said web for bending said bar around saidform when the flange is at either the inner or outer side and havingmeans for engaging and holding said flange from buckling when the flangeis at the outer side.

14. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent, means for engaging and holding the flange ofthe bar from buckling when the bar is bent with the flange at the innerside thereof, and a bar bending member having means engaging said formwhich holds said member from longitudinal movement said member beingadapted for circumferential movement around said form and having abearing surface of substantial length adapted for bearing for asubstantial distance against the side of the web distant from said form,said bearing surface being intersected by the radius which intersectsthat portion of the web which at the time is being bent and againstwhich at the time the said surface is bearing.

15. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent, means for engaging and holding the flange ofthe bar from buckling when the bar is bent with the flange at the outerside thereof, and a bar bending member having means engaging said formwhich holds said member from longitudinal movement said member beingadapted for circumferential movement around said form and having astraight bearing surface of substantial length adapted for bearing for asubstantial distance against a straight side of the web distant fromsaid form, said bearing surface being intersected by the radius whichintersects that portion of the web which at the time is being bent andagainst which at the time the said surface is bearing.

16. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent, means for engaging and holding the flange ofsaid bar from buckling when the bar is bent with the flange at the innerside of the bar, and a bar bending member having toothed engagement withand adapted for circumferential movement around said form and having alongitudinal bearing surface of substantial length adapted for bearingfor a substantial distance against the side of said web distant fromsaid form.

17. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the Web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent, and a bar bending member having toothedengagement with and adapted for circumferential movement around saidform and having a longi tudinal bearing surface of substantial lengthadapted for bearing for a substantial distance against the side of theweb distant from said form, said member having means for receiving andholding the flange of said bar from buckling when the bar is bent withthe flange at the outer side thereof.

18. In a bar bending machine, a form against which the web of an anglebar is adapted to be bent, a bending member having toothed engagementwith and adapted for circumferential movement around said form andhaving a longitudinal bearing surface of substantial length spaced fromsaid form and adapted for bearing at one time for a substantial distancelengthwise of said bar against the side thereof distant from said form,and means for imparting to said member circumferential movement, saidmember having means for receiving and engaging the flange of said barfor holding said flange from buckling when the bar is bent with theflange at the outer side thereof.

CARL KIRCHNER.

